Flying-machine.



W. E. DENNIS 64 H S BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AucizsI I9III.

1 206,68Q. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS*SHEET I.

W. E. DENNIS & H S. BRETTON. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.26.1910.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. E. DENNIS & H S, BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.26, 191'0.

Patented Nov. L8, 1916.

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W. E. DENNIS & H S. BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mu) AUG.26. 1910.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. E. DENNIS 61 H. S. BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.26. 19:0.

Patented Nov, 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WILLIAM E. D ENNIS, OF FAR ROCKAWAY, AND HARRY S. BRETTON, OF LONGISLAND CITY, YORK, ASSIGNOBS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AMERICAN AEROCARHOLDING CORPORATION, OF RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 26, 1910. Serial No. 579.114.

To all who) it may concern Be it known that we. lViLLiAn E. DENNIS andI'IARRY S. linnrrox. citizens of the F'nited States. residing at FarRockaway and Long Island City, respectively, in the county of Queens andState of New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines" or center of gravityoperating to oppose a resistance to the tilting of the machine in anydirection in flight. whereby the stability of the machine is increasedthrough the resultant inherent automatic balancing action secured andgreater safety in the ope 'ation of this class of machines insured.

further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction ofthe supporting surface or surfaces by which. in the event of an excessdownward and forward tilting of the machine or descent at too sharp anangle, the necessary angle of incidence will still be presented tosustain the machine and prevent any possibility of loss of the fore andaft balance and overturning of the machine.

further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction ofhorizontal rudders constructed to secure a quick and effective action ofthe air thereon for sensitive steering and balancing movements of themachine. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction andarrangement of stabilizing and controlling wings which are adjustable toincrease or decrease the supporting area. as occasion may require.whereby the flow of lateral currents of air to the associated supportingsurface is regulated. the pressures properly controlled and distributed.and excess pressures prevented.

Still further objects are to provide resilient tips at the rear edge. ofa main plane or supporting surface which permit of an air sheddingaction similar to the flexible tip feathers of the wings ofa bird; toprovide novel and easily controlled steering mechanism; to provide amore efficient and safer type of propeller: and to provide a novelgeneral construction and arrangement of parts whereby strength.durability and' rigidity of structure are secured.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown the application of ourinvention to a biplane machine. but it will, of course. be understoodthat the essential features of the invention may be embodied inmonoplanes. triplanes or other species of machines of the.heavierthan-air class, and hence we do not limit the invention in thisparticular.

'In the said drawings: Figure l is a top plan view of a flying machineembodying the novel features of our invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom planview of the same. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation. Fig. -l is avertical longitudinal section. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section.Fig. (3 is a detail view of one of the wing tips. Fig. 7 is a detailsection through the controlling mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail section onthe line S Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a vertical section through one of theslotted guide standards.

Referring to the drawings. 1 designates the main frame or fusilage ofthe machine. which is in the form of a car orsuitable substructurearranged wholly below the supporting surfaces, and which compriseslongitudinal bars 2. connecting cross bars 3, and one or more platformportions l. on which are mounted the pilot's seat driving motor 6,passengers seats 7 and the steering gear opera ting and othercontrolling devices hereinafter described. From this frame extenduprights 8, laterally projecting inclined stay bars 9. and V-shapedsupporting brackets 10. to which uprights and brackets the gasolene orfuel tanks 11 are secured in any suitable manner.

Ar 'anged above the main frame or fusi lage are the main planes orsupporting surfaces 12 and 13. each comprising front and rear frame bars14. and cross pieces 15 and bowed intermediate cross pieces or ribs 10.to which are attached a suitable fabric c0vering 17. The planes areconnected and held in spaced relation by the usual struts l8, and theframe of the lower plane is suit- 16 being bowed to a desired degree togive .the necessary fore-and-aft concavo-convex curvature to the body ofeach plane for the effective dynamical reactions of the air --.thereonto support the machine in flight. Each plane has a front longitudinaledge or wing 19 projecting beyond its frame portion and upwardly andforwardly curved to impart a concavo-convex contour thereto, the convexside of said extension edge'or wing facing downward. This extensionedge, which is reinforced from the struts by stay Wires 20, increasesthe lift of the supporting surface and normally lies above the plane ofthat portion of. said surface which presents the normal angle ofincidence for aerodynamic sustension. If, however, the machine shouldpitch forward to an excess degree, or be guided downward in flight atan. abnormally acute angle, the convex surfacesof the extension edges orwings'wvill present, a new and advanced angle of incidence for theimpact of the .air, whereby the machine'will be supported and preventedfrom turning over, allowing the pilot to regain complete control.

. Projecting from the front and rear of the machine are head and tailframes 21 and 22, respectively, which differ in the fact that the latteris materially longer than the former, but are otherwise substantiallythe same in construction, so that a description of one will suffice inthe main for both. Each of these frames comprises a pair of upperparallel bars 23 secured at their inner ends to the frame of the uppermain plane and connected by cross bars 24, a pair of upwardly andoutwardly inclined lower bars 25 secured at their inner ends to the mainframe and connected by cross bars 26, and uprights 27 uniting the upperand lower bars at each side of the frame. These frames carry suitablebearing brackets for front and rear sets of wheels 28 and 29,

which support .themachine when it is at rest and run along the surfaceof the ground in launching and landing. Vheels or rollers 30 arealsoprovided upon the, rear of the tail 'frame which provide for therunning support of the machine when tilted at the instant of ascent fromthe ground. thus guarding the tail frame fronrinjury.

Mounted upon the head frame to swing verticallyupon a horizontal axis isa front horizontal rudder 31, preferably formed of a pair of superposedplanes movable in unison, and mounted to swing similarly upon the tailframe is a rear horizontal rudder .is a vertical rudder 55 32,preferably composed of a single plane.

Crank arms 33 and 34 are suitably connected withthe horizontal shafts ofthe respective rudders and are coupled by links 35 to a suitably guided,longitudinally extending rack bar 36, whereby the two rudders areadapted to be simultaneously ad justed. The teeth of the rack bar 36mesh with a gear 37 on a transverse shaft 38 journaled on the frame ofthe upper main plane and-which carries a miter pinion 39 meshing with amiter gear 40 on the upper end of a hollow shaft 41. The shaft v41 isjournaled on a stationary inclined rod or shaft 42 and in brackets 43,44, fixed, respectively, to the main frame and upper main plane, and isprovided with a hand wheel 45, by which it may be turned to adjust therudders through the above-described gearing in an obvious manner. Therod or shaft 42 is fixed at its upper end to the frame of the upper mainplane and at its lower end to a supporting bracket 42 in any suitablemanner. The lower end of the rod 42 has journaled thereon outer andinner concentric shafts i6 and 47 provided with hand wheels 49 and 50,the shaft 46 being also provided with oppositely extending tiller arms51 and 52, while the shaft 47 carries drums 53 and 54. On the respectivehollow shafts are toothed wheels ll, 46 and 47*, adapted to be engagedby spring pressed pawls i1 46* and 47? pivoted upon the bracket 43,whereby said hollow shafts may be locked against rotary movement andreleased for turning movement, as occasion requires. The horizontalrudder planes are concavo-convexly curved fore and aft like the mainsupporting planes and are respectively provided with upturnedconcavoconvex'front edges 31 and 32 having their convex surfacesfacing."downward, so that said rudders normally act as auxiliarysupporting surfaces, and, when adjusted to ascensional position. willpresent said curved front edges at such an angle as to secure amaterially increased pressure of the air thereon over rudders ofordinary construction thereby augmenting the lifting capacity of therudders and securing a more rapid and sensitive elevating action andlongitudi nal. balancing control. -On the tail frame carried by avertical shaft 56 to. which are fixed crank arms 57. and 58, said armsbeing connected by wires or other connections 59 and 60 to the tillerarms 51 and 52, so that said rudder may be adjusted for lateral steeringby turning the wheel 45. w i

'It willcbe observed that the curvature of the horizontal rudderscorresponds to that of the main planes, and thatv the body portion ofeach plane and rudder is arranged .wholly belowfthe plane of its upandrearwardly from its point of junction wlth such upturned edge. Hence therudders serve as smaller auxiliary supporting tions, the upturned edgesof both theplanes and rudders are arranged at a negative angle. By thisrelative arrangement of the body portions of the planes and their upturned edges the latter are prevented from deflecting-the air downwardand inhibiting its properdynami-al reacti m against the surfaces of theplanes when the machine is traveling horizontally or climbing, but arebrought into play to provide advanced angles of incidence when anyexcess forward tilting of the planes or rudders occurs, whereby thecenter of pressure will be changed to a degree corresponding tothechange in the center of gravity to maintain the longitudinal stabilityof the machine.

Extending from the'sides of the machine are outriggers (S1,eachcomprising inclined bars (32 connected with the frame of the lowermain plane, across bar 623 connecting the outer ends of said bars, andbars, 6% connecting the bar ()3 with the adjacent struts. Leadingupwardly from the respective crossbars (S of the two outriggers arecurved slotted guide standards (35 which extend above the top of theupper main plane'and are stayed from the frame of said plane by braces66. Pivotally mounted at their inner ends upon the ends of the uppermain plane 12, as at (37, are stabilizing and controlling wings ()8 eachhaving substantially the shape of a bird's wing. that is, taperinghmgitmlinallv to their outer ends or tips and being of concavo-convexlycurved outline both longitudinally and transversely. Each wingconsistsof a suitable frame structure and fabric covering and has aguide arm (39 at its outer end which fits and travels in the slot of theadand its opposite end passing through guides.

73 to the top of the associated standard 5 andthence extending downwardand at tached to the arm 69, so that the two stretches of the rope willbe alternately wound and unwoundupon the rotation of the cooperatingdrum in reverse directions,

:tionable angle.

to respectively raise and lower the wing. The two ropes are so woundupon their respective drums that when the shaft 47 is turned in onedirection both wings will be simultaneously and coordinately lowered,--while when said shaft is turned in the re- .verse direction both wingswill be simultaneously and coordinately raised, .as will be readilyunderstood. The wings are normall arranged in a substantially internn'diate position, as shown in full lines in the drawings, when themachine is in straight flight. in which position, owing to theirdescribed curvature, they present the necessary angle of incidence tothe air for supporting effect and gradually incline outwardly andupwardly above the plane of themain plane 12. Owing to the tapering formof these wings cross currents of air striking the same will be broken upor divided and partially shed and partially employed for supportingaction, said Wings distributing a portion of the air of such currents tothe main plane 12 and deflecting the remainder rearwardly, thuspreventing the action of any excess pressure of air upon either end ofsaid main plane and thereby preserving the lateral balance. In otherwords. the wings, while operating as lateral auxiliary supportingsurfaces, shed any ex cess volume or pressure of air which falls thereonand act as guards to prevent the passage of any abnormal volume orpressure of air to the underside of the main plane 12. By depressing thewings their supporting action will be increased and they will augmentthe lifting capacity of the machine, and by elevating them their airshedding action will be increased, thus diminishing the superficialelfective area of the supporting surface of the machine. Hence iadjustin the wings in one direction the ascent of tf will be facilitatedand its sustentation power increased, while by adjusting the-wings inthe reverse direction the speed of descent of the machine may beincreased without tilting the horizontal rudders to an objec- The valueand importance of this part of our invention will accord ingly beappreciated. 7

In connection with each wing (38. we preferably employ an auxiliary wingle pivotally mounted to'swing vertically upon the adjacent struts 18 ofthe main frame, said auxiliary wing being of somewhat smaller size orarea than the wing 68 and arranged below the same so as to extend on aline ccn; trally between the supporting surfaces when disposed inhorizontal position. The mixiliary wing (38 is connected at its outerend by a link 68" with the superposed main wing G8 to move in unisontherewith. and has its inner end arranged fol-movement between theadjacent ends or margins of the supporting surfaces. Each auxiliary wingcon.

1e machine lie forms substantially in longitudinal and cross sectionalcontour with the main wing and cooperates therewith to further increaseor decrease the supporting area, as occasion requires in the control ofthe machine. The auxiliary wings at the opposite sides of the machinefurther promote and increase the .latcral rigidity or stability of themachine as a whole, as will be readily understood.

Arranged at the rear of the main plane 12, on opposite sides of thelongitudinal center of the machine, are series of wing tips Tl. eachapproximately of semi-elliptical form and comprising a suitable frameand a fabric covering. These tips extend longitudinally along the rearedge of the plane 12. and are hinged thereto to swing vertically andheld normally depressed by springs 75. which permit said tips to yieldupwardly under a determined air pressure. The tips of each series arespaced a slight distance toprovide intervening air spaces to permit atall times the shedding or release of a proportion of the air, thussimnlating the normal air shedding action of the edges of the wings of abird. further increase the area of the supporting surface of the mainplane and are adapted to yield upwardly under excess pressure of air toprevent-the undue retention of air beneath the plane, while normallyassisting in pocketing and increasing the dynamical reactions of the airupon the surface of the plane; Through such automatic pocketing and airshedding actions the supporting capacity of the plane 12' is materiallyenhanced over a plane of ordinary construction and of the same surfacearea but unprovided with resilient wing tips of this character.

lleretofore it has, been the practice to mount the load weight wholly orpartially above the supporting surface, and in all biplanes and othermultiplanes with which We are familiar the load weight has invariablybeen placed above the lower supporting plane. As a result, the deadcenter or center of gravity of the machine is placed at a relativelyhigh point, to which is due in whole or in part the instability of eventhe most successful machines, and particularly those of the biplane,triplane or other multiplane type. Ve overcome and avoid this objectionby disposing the entire load weight or at least a balancing portion orproportion i thereof upon a substructure wholly below the supportingsurface as a whole, (2., beneath the lower plane in a biplane or othermultiplane structure. whereby the dead center or center of gravity islowered to the safest maximum limit. and such load weight thereforeoperates to oppose a resistance to the tilting of the machine in anydirection in flight. whereby the stability ofthe machine is increasedthrough the resultant inhercnt automatic balancing action secured Thesetips in any suitable manner.

and greater safety in flight insured. By load weight" we mean theaggregate weight of the motor, drive gearing, fuel, pilot, passengersand ()the' appliances or freight, exclusive of the sustentation parts ofthe apparatus, and by supporting surface we mean such sustentationparts, irrespective of the number or arrangement of flotation planes orequivalent surfaces used. Our invention. as a matter of fact,contemplates the broad idea of placing the load weight below thesupporting surface however the same may be constructed or disposed. By"balancing portion or proportion of the load weight we mean any amountthereof suflicient to perform the function-of a balancing or stabilizingmedium. The term load weight is therefore held to include all or anyportion of the weight necessary or suitable for such purpose.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings. the mode of launching. landing and controllingthe machine in flight will be readily understood by those. versed in theart without further explanation.

"It will, of course; be understood that whenever necessary the parts ofthe machine may be reinforced and stayed by the usual guy wires 76. Itwill also be understood that the upper plane 12 with its ap purtenancesmay be employed as the supporting surface in a monoplane structure. Thepropeller or propellers for driving the machine may be constructed andarranged preferably employ a single propeller embodying a shaft 77carrying two sets of 1. In a flying machine, the combination of a mainframe, superposed supporting surfaces carried thereby, a carriage rigldwith the main frame and arranged wholly below the lower supportingsurface, propelling and steering devices also mounted upon themainframe, a driving motor. an aviators SZlt and fuel carrying means allmounted directly upon the carriage and supplementing the weight thereof,whereby the carriage and its load weight serves as a weightedstabilizing pendulum, longitudinally tapered and longitudinally andtransversely curved wings mounted to swing vertically on fore and aftaxes at the ends In practice we,

naoaeeo of the upper supporting surface, a control device on thecarriage, and connections between said control device and wings forsimultaneously and coordinately adjusting said wings in the samedirection either upward or downward and at an equal angle of incidenceto said supporting surface.

'2. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supportingplane carried thereby, braces fixed to said plane, wings pivoted to andextending outwardly ilaterally from the lateral'm-argins of the mainplane, said wings being longitudinally and t 'ansversely curved,arcuately curved guides fixed to said main frame and braces, guidemembers on the free edges of the wings slidably engaging said guides, acontrolling device, and connections between said guide members on thewings and the said controlling device for vertically moving said wingsto like degrees in the same direction simul taneously.

3. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supportingplane carried thereby main wings pivoted to and extending outwardlaterally from the lateral margins of the supporting main plane, saidwings being longitudinally and transversely curved, supplemental wingspivotally mounted below the main wings and extending both beneath andlaterally beyond the lateral margins of the supporting plane,connections between each mainwing and the underlying supplemental wingto elfect their movement in unison, a controlling device, and

connections between said controlling device and the pairs of wings forvertically mov ing both pairs of wings to like degrees in the samedirection simultaneously.

i. In a flying machine, a frame structure, superposed supportingsurfaces, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rod fixed at its lower endto the frame structure and at its upper end to the upper supportingsurface, a series of hollow concentric control shafts mounted on saidrod and each provided with an operating member and a ratchet wheel, aplurality of governing elements, connections between the respectiveshafts and the governing elements, and locking devices on the frame toengage said ratchet wheels. I

5. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a pair ofsupporting planes carried thereby, main wings pivoted to and extendingoutward from the lateral mar: gins of the upper supporting plane, saidwings being longitudinally and transversely curved, guiding means forthe free ends of said wings, a supplemental wing pivotally mounted beloweach main wing on a line between the supporting planes and extendinginwardly and outwardly beyond the vertical plane of the lateral marginsof said supporting planes, a connection between each main wing and theunderlying supplemental wing coupling said wings for movement in unison,a controlling device, and connections between said controlling deviceand the pairs of wings for vertically moving both pairs of wings to likedegrees in the same direction simultaneously.

6. In a flying machineya supporting sur-' hinged to the rear edge ofsaid supporting surface, and coiled springs terminally fixed to thesupporting surface and wings for yieldingly holding the tips in theplane of said surface and permitting said tips to have independentupward and downward flexing movement to like or different degrees.

8. In a flying machine, a horizontal rudder, a crank arm connectedtherewith, a pair of spaced guides, a bar slidable at its ends in saidguides and provided between its ends with a series of rack teeth, a linkconnecting said crank arm with an end of the rack bar, a transverseshaft, a gear thereon meshing with the teeth of the rack bar, an uprightshaft in gear with said transverse shaft, means for rotating saidupright shaft, and means for locking said upright shaft in adjustedposition.

9. In a flying machine, a frame, superposed supporting surfaces,vertically movable main wings at the ends of the upper supportingsurface, vertically movable supplemental wings hinged in rear of theirtransverse centers in line with the ends" of the supporting surfaces,said supplemental wings having their shorter ends extending between saidsupporting surfaces and their longer ends projecting beyond saidsurfaces. and beneath said main wings, connections coupling the pairs ofmain and supplemental wings for movement in unison, and means foroperating both sets of wings simultaneously and coordinately in the samedirection.

10. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movablelongitudinally tapered wings'and longitudinally and trans versely curvedwings at the opposite ends of saidsurface, said wings being mounted toswing on horizontal, fore and aft axes and normally inclined to theplane of said 55 having guide members at their ends engagextremities,said wings being longitudinally and transversely curved and hinged attheir inner "edges to swing. on horizontal fore and aft axes, and meanspositively coupling the wings for simultaneously and coordinatelyadjusting said wings in the same direction either above or below thesupporting surface and at an equal angle of incidence with relation tothe plane of said surface.

. 12. In a flying machine, superposed sup porting surfaces, verticallymovable main wings at the ends of the upper supporting surface,vertically movable supplemental wings, arranged on a line between andextending beyond the supporting surfaces, the sets of wings beingconnected for movement in unison, and means for operating both setssimultaneously and coordinately in the same direction. N

. 13. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movablewings normally inclined upwardly and outwardly and extendinglongitudinally from. the opposite ends of said surface, said wings beingmounted to--swing on horizontal fore and aft axes and longitudinallytapered and longitudinally and transversely curved, and means positivelycoupling the wings for simultaneously and coordinately adjusting saidwings in the same direction either upward or downward above or below theplane of the supporting surface, and at an equal angle of incidence withrelation to said .supporting surface.

' .14. In a flying machine, a mainframe, a supporting surface,Outriggers" at the sidesof the main frame, curved guides extendingupwardly therefrom and connected with the supporting surface, normallyvoutwardly and upwardly inclined longitudinally and transversely curvedvertically movable wings at the ends of the supporting surface ing saidguides, and means for simultaneously and coordinately ad usting saidwings? either upward or downward at an equal angle of incidence withrelation to said supporting surface.

.15. In a flying machine, a main frame, a supporting surface, astationary shaft extending between and fixed, to said frame ing aplurality of rotary members concentrically journaled on said shaft, anddevices for locking the respective rotary members from rotation.

16. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, superposedsupporting surfaces having body portions uniformlyconcavo-convexlycurved fore and aft and.

having upturned front edges and downturned rear edges, superposedhorizontal rudders arranged approximately in the horizontal plane ofsaid surfaces and conforming in contour thereto, and means for adjustingsaid rudders.

17. In a flying machine, superposed supporting surfaces, verticallymovable main wings at the ends of the upper supporting surface,vertically movable supplemental wings arranged on a line between andextending beyond the supporting surfaces, links connecting the sets ofwings for movement in unison, and ineans for operating both setssimultaneously and coordinately in the same direction.

18. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supportingplane carried thereby, braces fixed to said plane, wings pivoted to andextending outward from the lateral margins of the main plane, arcuatelycurved slotted guides fixed to said main frame and braces, guidemembers'on the free edges of the wings slidably engaging the slots inthe guides, a controlling device, and connections between said guidemembers on the wings and the said controlling device for verticallymoving said wings to like degrees in the same direction simultaneously.

' 19. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movableailerons at the ends of said surface, said ailerons being longitudinallytapered and longitudinally and transversely curved, guides extendingabove and below the plane of the supporting surface, guide members ontheailerons slidably engaging said guides, direction members on saidguides, a looped cable threaded through the-direction members on each.guide and' forming up and down pull stretches con--" nected with theaileron, and a controlling device to which the free ends of thestretches of the cable are connected for simultaneous y adjusting saidailerons.

20. In a flying machine, a main frame, a supporting surface, astationary shaft extending between and fixed to said frame and l Isurface, horizontal and vert cal rudders, stablizing wings, devices foroperating the rudders and wings, includinga plurality ofro- 15' and thecontrol device for-positively, simulporting surface, means whereby saidcar-,

riage is adapted to carry the load weight and form a pendulum togravitatively maintain the balance of the machine, a control device uponthe carriage, longitudinally tapered, longitudinally and transverselywings mounted to swing vertically on fore and afft axes at the ends ofsaid supporting surface, and connections between said wings taneouslyand coordinately adjusting said wings either upwardly or downwardly inunison at an equal angle of incidence above curved- (fir below the planeof the supporting surace.

22. In a flying machine, a supporting plane having an upturned frontportion, a downturned rear portion and a body portion extending on adownward curvature between said portions and lying entirely below ahorizontal line passing through the extreme front edge of the upturnedfront portion, the said upturned front portion being arranged ata'wrelatively greater angle of incidence than the remainder of theplane.

In testimony whereof we afix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses. i

WILLIAM E. DENNIS. HARRY S. BRET'ION. Witnesses:

'IHORNDYKE C. MGKUNEE, Bonnnr II. DRooN-E.

